LSAT 106 – Section 2 – Question 17

LSAT 106 - Section 2 - Question 17

June 1999

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Question
QuickView		 Type Tags Answer
Choices		 Curve Question
Difficulty		 Psg/Game/S
Difficulty		 Explanation
PT106 S2 Q17
+LR
+Exp
Weaken +Weak
Value Judgment +ValJudg
A
11%
160
B
4%
160
C
10%
161
D
4%
155
E
72%
167
145
155
165
 +Harder 147.566 +SubsectionMedium

Using fossil energy more efficiently is in the interest of the nation and the global environment, but major improvements are unlikely unless proposed government standards are implemented to eliminate products or practices that are among the least efficient in their class.
Objection: Decisions on energy use are best left to the operation of the market.

Summarize Argument
The conclusion we’re focusing on is the objection that energy use should be decided by the market, not government regulation. Why? The only support we’re given is that efficient use of fossil energy would benefit the nation as well as the global environment.

Notable Assumptions

A
It would be unrealistic to expect society to make the changes necessary to achieve maximum energy efficiency all at once.
This does not undermine the objection, because it doesn’t help us determine whether the market or the government is more able to improve energy efficiency. That’s what we need to find out, regardless of whether or not we can maximize efficiency immediately.
B
There are products, such as automobiles, that consume energy at a sufficient rate that persons who purchase and use them will become conscious of any unusual energy inefficiency in comparison with other products in the same class.
Like (D), this does not undermine the objection. In fact, at least for products like cars, it strengthens the objection by explaining how market incentives (i.e. the cost of fuel) could improve energy efficiency. For any other products, we still just don’t know.
C
Whenever a new mode of generating energy, such as a new fuel, is introduced, a number of support systems, such as a fuel-distribution system, must be created or adapted.
This does not undermine the objection. Based on the stimulus, we have no reason to believe that new types of energy are in question at all. Even if they were, this still doesn’t help us decide if the market or the government will most improve efficiency. So, this is irrelevant.
D
When energy prices rise, consumers of energy tend to look for new ways to increase energy efficiency, such as by adding insulation to their houses.
This does not undermine the objection. Instead, like (B), it strengthens the claim that market incentives will lead to greater energy efficiency. This is an even better strengthen answer than (B), because it’s not limited to only certain products. So clearly, it doesn’t weaken.
E
Often the purchaser of a product, such as a landlord buying an appliance, chooses on the basis of purchase price because the purchaser is not the person who will pay for energy used by the product.
This undermines the objection by showing that market incentives of which product to buy often have nothing to do with energy efficiency. This indicates that the market may not effectively improve energy efficiency, thus weakening the objection.

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LSAT PrepTest 106 Explanations

Section 1 - Logical Reasoning

Section 2 - Logical Reasoning

Section 3 - Logical Reasoning

Section 4 - Reading Comprehension

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